Too Little or Too Much?

THAT a framework agreement signed by the Government of Saint Lucia and an investor, DSH Caribbean Star Limited finds its way into the public domain despite clauses contained therein that speak to confidentiality is a precarious scenario. Firstly, it speaks to the government’s quality of security measures in keeping confidential records confidential. Obviously, the ostensible “leaking” of the 20-page agreement is a major concern for any investor pondering whether they should plunk down a sizeable sum of money in any project here.

Dr. Gardner First Consul of Israel

Image: Dr. Charmaine Gardner (far right) with Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, Dame PearletteLouisy and Ambassador Amihai-Bivas at Tuesday’s reception. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]

DR. CHARMAINE Gardner, a well-known figure in the business community, has been appointed Honorary Consul of Israel in Saint Lucia. Dr. Gardner, who has an extensive career in the field of banking and being involved in social issues such as advocating for HIV/AIDS awareness, a women’s shelter and the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre, seemed the perfect pick for Ambassador of Israel to Saint Lucia, MordehaiAmihai-Bivas, who was in Saint Lucia this week.

Many Caribbean Children Victims of Human Trafficking – U.N.

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 22,CMC – A new United Nations report says a significant number of children in the Caribbean and Central America are victims of human trafficking. The report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released here on Wednesday, says while worldwide 28 percent of trafficking victims are children, and that children account for 64 percent in Central America and the Caribbean.

Dennery Co-op Brings Smiles To Village’s Elderly

Image: A van loaded with goodies for Dennery elderly.

THE Dennery Community Credit Cooperative Society Limited continues to bring smiles to the residents of the village this Christmas. On Monday, under the Cooperative’s “Bringing Smiles” programme, 30 residents received much needed hampers. “We took the opportunity to bring Christmas joy to shut-in and elderly residents of Dennery village, La Caye and Lumiere”, a spokesman for the cooperative said.

Sandals Brings Joy to 400 Children

Image: Students at the Gros Islet Infant School with Santa.

OVER 1400 children in Saint Lucia received an early Christmas gift this year courtesy of Sandals Foundation and partners Hasbro Inc. Hasbro Inc., a global play and entertainment company committed to making the world a better place for children and their families. On November 29, the day internationally celebrated as ‘Giving Tuesday’, the Foundation launched their online and on-property campaign. Through this initiative, when consumers donate to the Foundation’s #InspireJoyWithAToy campaign from now through to December 25, Hasbro, Inc. will donate a brand new toy or game (up to 15,000 toys/games in total) to a less fortunate child.

St. Lucia to Benefit From Major Biodiversity Grant

Image of Luis Solorzano

THE Nature Conservancy is pleased to announce the completion of its $8 million private philanthropy commitment toward the creation of the $42 million Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, an endowment supporting the protection and management of 21 million acres of coastal and marine areas. In an unprecedented collaboration for a sustainable Caribbean, eleven governments, including St Lucia have signed on to the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, committing to protect 20 percent of important coastal and marine habitats by 2020 – effectively tripling the coverage of marine protected areas in the region.

CRIME WORRY – Minister Promises To Remedy Situation

Image of Home Affairs Minister, Hermangild Francis

WITH crime being one of the major factors making the headlines this year, much more is being expected of the police than is currently being done to reassure citizens that things can change for the better next year as far as their safety is concerned. Homicides, burglaries, rapes and drug offences are just some of the issues law enforcement have seemingly failed to keep under control, prompting many to suggest that a real paradigm shift needs to be implemented rather than just being promised.

A Christmas Message From Archbishop Robert Rivas, Archbishop of Castries

THE mystery of Christmas is the mystery of the light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower. St. John in his Gospel says that the Word was the true light that enlightens all peoples (cf. John 1:9). At Christmas time we become very conscious of the divine light shining upon us and the Word breaking through God’s silence and our darkness.

Vieux Fort South Take U-21 Title

Image: SLFA/Vizions Men’s Under–21 Champions, Vieux Fort South. (Photo: Anthony De Beauville)

VIEUX Fort South captured the Saint Lucia Football Association-sponsored inaugural Vizions Men’s Under-21 Football Tournament title, defeating Soufriere 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 score-line at the end of regulation time on Wednesday evening at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort. Playing before a crowd estimated at 1,300 fans, VFS squandered four scoring opportunities in front of goal in the first seven minutes of the encounter. Despite the misses, however, they were able to settle down somewhat as Jervic Mc. Farlane opened the scoring after their fifth try at goal in the 12th minute to put the team ahead.